Difference between revisions of "Psychosis"
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* the [[subject]] must have a [[psychotic]] [[structure]], and | * the [[subject]] must have a [[psychotic]] [[structure]], and | ||
* the [[Name-of-the-Father]] must be "called into [[symbolic]] opposition to the [[subject]]."<ref>{{E}} p.217</ref> | * the [[Name-of-the-Father]] must be "called into [[symbolic]] opposition to the [[subject]]."<ref>{{E}} p.217</ref> | ||
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| + | In the absence of the first condition, no confrontation with the [[Name-of-the-Father|paternal signifier]] will ever lead to [[psychosis|psychotic phenomena]]; a [[neurotic]] can never "become [[psychotic]]."<ref>{{S3}} p.15</ref> | ||
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| + | In the absence of the second condition, the [[psychotic]] [[structure]] will remain [[latent]]. | ||
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| + | It is thus conceivable that a [[subject]] may have a [[psychotic]] [[structure]] and yet never develop [[delusions]] or experience [[hallucination]]s. | ||
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| + | When both conditions are fulfilled, the [[psychosis]] is "triggered off," the [[latent]] [[psychosis]] becomes [[manifest]] in [[hallucination]]s and/or [[delusions]]. | ||
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Revision as of 16:54, 10 August 2006
Psychotic Phenomena
In Lacanian psychoanalysis, it is important to distinguish between psychosis -- which is a clinical structure -- psychotic phenomena -- such as delusions and hallucinations.
Two conditions are required for psychotic phenomena to emerge:
- the subject must have a psychotic structure, and
- the Name-of-the-Father must be "called into symbolic opposition to the subject."[1]
In the absence of the first condition, no confrontation with the paternal signifier will ever lead to psychotic phenomena; a neurotic can never "become psychotic."[2]
In the absence of the second condition, the psychotic structure will remain latent.
It is thus conceivable that a subject may have a psychotic structure and yet never develop delusions or experience hallucinations.
When both conditions are fulfilled, the psychosis is "triggered off," the latent psychosis becomes manifest in hallucinations and/or delusions.
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.217
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p.15
